Amost There!

As we near the halfway point in the premier league, 16 games played, 17 games to play before the 'split', I thought I'd just have a wee look at out statistics. Of the 16 games we've played so far, we've won 7 and lost 9, scored 21 goals and conceded 22 and are in 7th position in the table with 21 points. We are 'poised' so to speak, exactly 10 points behind the 2nd placed teams, Crues and the Glens (both of whom we've beaten once and lost to once) and ten points above the relegation play-off team. Our next three league games will in my opinion decide whether we are an 'up and coming' side or just one of the also-rans. Unlike last year we have scored a few goals, but in my opinion are still conceding too many and that needs to be sorted. Manager Walker has been quoted as saying that he will not dip into the transfer market in the January sales but will still be trying to unload one or two misfits, all I can say is, good luck. Dwayne Nelson is first choice keeper at present, with young Sean O'Neill waiting patiently in the wings, while in Mike Smith and Lee Colligan we have our best fullback partnership since Marco and Boydie. These two and our central defensive pair, Archie Stewart and Chris Ramsay make for our youngest ever back four I think. We have three central defenders on long term injury, so maybe if we can get them fit we'll have real competition for places at the back. Midfield is pretty sewn up at present and its a case of about eight guys vying for four and sometimes only three places. We even have a wee bit of competition for the striking role for a change, with Nathan McConnell, now vying with Andy Smith and Kevin Kelbie for that position, while young Paul McNeil is lurking in the background. Things are indeed looking up, but and I emphasis the word 'but', things can change very quickly. Roy Walker says he's equal to the task, for the fate of our wee team, I hope he's right!